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Town in shock at man's bike death

A COMMUNITY is reeling after a businessman died while out mountain biking with friends.

Norman Barrow, 65, of Hallthwaites, was mountain biking with two friends in an area known locally as the “mountain road” near Ambleside on Wednesday.

Friends raised the alarm after Mr Barrow fell off his bike.

Ambulance crews were called to the scene at 7.40pm and Coniston Mountain Rescue Team also attended. By the time the team arrived at the scene he had died.

Mr Barrow worked at Whartons Garage in Duke Street, Millom, and was well–known for his time as a scramble rider, during which he competed in events across the country.

Anthony Robinson, team leader with Coniston Mountain Rescue, said: “We don’t know exactly what happened. The group were mountain biking and one man came off his bike but we do not know if it was an accident or a medical condition.

“When we arrived the man was dead at the scene. We were called by the ambulance service.

“The crew had to walk because they could not get the ambulance along the track. We helped recover his body as the ambulance couldn’t make it to the scene and we took him back to Coniston where he was collected by the undertaker.”

Councillor Reg Heathcote described Mr Barrow as a popular man.

He said: “I have known him all my life. He was always into motorbikes and worked hard at Whartons Garage.

“He was always helpful if you went to the garage but motorbikes were his real passion.

“Whenever you saw him he would give a wave. He was very sociable and the news has come as a nasty shock to everyone in the town. It is a very sad loss.”

Staff at Whartons Garage said they felt “too raw” to comment.

Mr Barrow’s family did not wish to comment when the Evening Mail went to print.

Have your say

I had the pleasure of knowing Norman for a lot of years, he was alway willing to help,it was a shock to hear the news of his death.

A TRUE GENTLEMANR.I.P. Norman

Posted by noel moore on
23 December 2011 at 09:15

Having only met Norman on a couple of occasions during our stay last new year at his beautiful house, I'd just like to say on behalf of my friends and I that he seemed like a lovely man and all of our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Janet and their family xx